Rose City vandal sentenced to community service
A VANDAL who scrawled his graffiti tag across fences, walls and windows throughout the Rose City will work off his debt to society.
Joshua Dale Winter used spray paint and permanent market to damage 12 objects during the first week of November.
The teenager appeared in court over the offences on Tuesday, just days before the introduction of new laws requiring graffiti vandals to clean up the mess they make.
However, that did not stop police prosecutor Ken Wiggan asking the magistrate to force the 19-year-old to roll up his sleeves and perform community service.
"This is a new offence in the town and there have been numerous complaints from the owners of the properties, who want something done," Sgt Wiggan said.
"(Winter) can go back into the community to do some work and give something back," Sgt Wiggan said.
Winter's solicitor Daniel Habermann agreed graffiti was an issue in Warwick.
"It has to be conceded it looks terrible and it is a trend that has started up again recently," he said.
The court heard Winter was drunk at the time he committed the acts of vandalism.
When spoken to by police, the teenager was co-operative and showed officers where he had tagged.
He was this week ordered to perform 120 hours of community service for his "senseless" crimes.
Winter also pleaded guilty to producing marijuana and possessing a water pipe.
Police uncovered a marijuana plant and two pipes while searching the teenager's property on November 8.
The court heard the plant was dying when police arrived.
What he tagged
Five fences, four walls, one window, one power box and a sign.
